906 Miles in Under 5 Days
The London-Edinburgh-London Cycling Challenge
Raising Money for Young Carers

On Sunday 30th July, 1,500 people from 58 nations will depart from London on their bike with the aim to cycle 906 miles, London-Edinburgh-London, in less than 5 days.

It was only last January when Jeremy Beswick received the news that he had been given a place on this year’s London-Edinburgh-London (LEL) and he has been busy training ever since.

The London-Edinburgh-London is not just a race, it's the 2nd longest Audax (the official long-distance cycling organisation) in the world. It is held once every 4 years with a limited entry list of 1,500 international competitors representing 58 countries this year.

Jeremy says: "This challenge is quite a big ask for me, to compare this to the Tour de France bike race, which is 2213 miles over 21 days, I will be riding 41% of the Tour’s distance – yet in only 21% of the Tour’s time. On this event, both sleep deprivation and maintaining nutrition will be significant issues to deal with. In order to complete the event within the time limit, I will need to ride 200 miles every day."

For Jeremy this is not only a personal challenge but a great chance to raise sponsorship money for the Young Carers Service at Carers Lewisham. The service provides vital support to over 600 young people (5-18 years old) in Lewisham who are looking after a parent or other family members with physical or mental illness or disabilities. The service aims to improve young people life skills, self-esteem, confidence, resilience and to help reduce inappropriate care.

Jeremy, who is a Trustee of Carers Lewisham says: "It's an amazing cause and a wonderful service for the community. Young carers are school-age children who are battling with all the usual stress of school and exams as well as providing daily care and support for family members who could not manage without their help. Every donation will help us keep them in school, provides emotional support and respite, breaks down the isolation that they experience and give them a chance to meet other young people in the same very challenging circumstances. I will be really grateful for any donation that you can make, and it will be hugely appreciated by Carers Lewisham and our Young Carers. Donations can be made here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JeremyBeswick